techLIVE
Less AI hype, more results: BDC hires entrepreneurs to lead two new AI-driven initiatives
BDC launches Mission AI and AI Studio, two entrepreneur-led AI initiatives aimed at helping Canadian business owners adopt AI.
Key points
- BDC launched Mission AI and AI Studio on Nov. 02, 2026, both led by entrepreneurs.
- 69% of Canadian SMEs are AI Novices who use AI very rarely or not at all; 5% are AI Leaders.
- Dominic Gagnon will lead Mission AI as Managing Director after nine months as BDC's first Entrepreneur-in-Residence.
Why it matters. The initiatives aim to help SMEs adopt AI faster and to help Canadian AI startups serving this market grow, according to BDC.
BDC launched Mission AI and AI Studio in Montreal on Nov. 02, 2026, to help business owners put AI to work. Its survey found 69% of Canadian SMEs are AI Novices, while only 5% are AI Leaders. Dominic Gagnon, BDC's first Entrepreneur-in-Residence, will lead Mission AI as Managing Director.
Latest updates
Less AI hype, more results: BDC hires entrepreneurs to lead two new AI-driven initiatives
BDC today launched Mission AI and AI Studio, two entrepreneur-led initiatives that put AI to work for business owners. Built 'for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs," Mission AI aims to help thousands of businesses adopt AI to improve productivity, MONTREAL, Nov. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BDC today launched Mission AI and AI Studio, two entrepreneur-led initiatives that put AI to work for business owners. Built "for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs,” Mission AI aims to help thousands of businesses adopt AI to improve productivity, while AI Studio aims to reimagine how BDC delivers support and loans through an entrepreneur’s lens. BDC’s latest survey shows why action is needed: 69% of Canadian SMEs are AI Novices, which means that they use AI very rarely or not at all. 83% of SMEs remain in the learning phase of AI adoption. Only 5% are AI Leaders, with AI deeply integrated into their operations and decision-making. Get the latest news delivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . BDC’s June 2026 study found that only 30% of Canadian SMEs use generative AI-yet those that do are 24% more productive than those that don’t. The challenge extends beyond Canada: across the G7, small and medium-sized businesses lag larger companies in AI adoption .